New to Copper scrapping...

Hey everyone. I've been scrapping aluminum for a few years now (Cans, Radiators, Condensors, wheels, Various car parts/body panels) Recently I've been doing more copper wire scrapping, due to the prices. started stripping my boxes of insulated wire (homemade block of wood w/ holes and drywall screws...works very well, especially for smaller wires that are a PITA to strip..). Looking for any info/tips on how to sort copper wire for maximum $$$ THANK YOU!

welcome to the forum. Ive started doing copper wire scrapping also. Unfortuantely i have to use a wire stripper and utility knife but it works so fars.

Copper wire that is thicker than a #2 pencil lead will be #1 copper (some call it bare bright) thin stranded wire is #2 copper. At the yard I use the last time I sold my copper I got 3.20 for #1 and 2.95 for #2. hope this helps. But you might want to check with your yard first because all yards are different.

Factoring in your recovery rate is an important first step. Weigh 5 pounds (on a postal scale for accuracy) of a given similar size wire, un stripped. Strip your 5 pounds. Weigh your recovered copper( on a postal scale). If you yield 3 pounds your recovery is 3/5 or 60%. Factor in your time to strip wire (say one hour for simplicity sake).

Figure your un stripped wire price multiply by weight 5lbs x $0.75 per lb. = $3.75 unstripped

Figure your stripped price by taking recovery rate multiply by #2 copper price of 3 lbs x$2.75 per lb = $8.25

Figure your stripped price- un stripped price $8.25-$3.75 = $4.50 profit - any cost associated such as tools or power.

Figure your labor time and profit for your hourly wage ( 1 hour x $4.50) $4.50 per hour

Determine if its your worth your time. $4.50 per hour is better than $0 per hour if you have nothing else- however if you can make more doing something else factor in your lost wage (say $10.00 an hour - $4.50 an hour = Perhaps its costing $5.50 an hour?